Aha, Simon Burnton’s report is with us.
That means we’re finished here, so thanks all for your company and comments; we’ll see you tomorrow to see what happens next. Peace out.
Olly Stone is leaving the squad on Wednesday in order to get married. Mazal tov, old mate. I guess, in so doing, he’s ruling himself out of the second Test, meaning the only spare quick is Matty Potts; I’d expect him to come in to offer freshness, but the rest will have to keep at it.
Nas points out that in the Bazball era, England have conceded 500 twice … and won twice. Or, in other words, Pakistan will know they’re vulnerable, because the game done changed.
Crydon Barse is enjoying his Test dboo, though he acknowledges the pitch isn’t helpful. His role in the team is partly to bang it in short, but they also tried setting a field for that before going full, and he’s hoping the pitch becomes more abrasive, offering reverse in the second dig. Atkinson and Woakes, he admits, had their legs hanging off, but a good night’s sleep and they’ll be ready to go tomorrow. On his first Test wicket, he says he felt close to it so when Pope asked if he wanted a fifth over he was eager to oblige.
I guess it’s far from inconceivable that England score around 400 and find themselves having to bat out for a draw on day five. But they’ve the players to get closer to Pakistan than that, as they do to knock off almost any chase. It’s characteristic of the subcontinent for the game to suddenly speed up at the end, so though it may seem like we’re headed for a draw, a positive result remains well on the agenda.
The batters depart, their partnership 92; I bet they’d like to carry on batting, given how well they’re playing and how definitively tomorrow is another day. But the pitch is offering little to disquiet them, and if they can survive the first few overs, there’s no reason they shouldn’t build on today’s efforts.
England end day two trailing Pakistan by 460 runs with nine first-innings wickets intact
20th over: England 96-1 (Crawley 64, Root 32) I thought Abrar might’ve been given a go from the other end but it’s Shah who’ll complete the day, Root taking his second ball for a single to point. Crawley then swings one off the pads – he’s so deft in that area, as he is when using his height to get to the pitch. Three dots follow, and that is the day!
19th over: England 94-1 (Crawley 63, Root 31) Adam Hirst emails to point out that Root now has 12,433 Test runs; Alastair Cook is the only Englishman above him with 12,472. Which is to say that the record could well go tomorrow morning, and I’ve not the slightest clue where it’ll end. Like Jimmy Anderson, the relentless dedication to improving means he’s at his best in the current moment and should be for a while yet; he and Crawley milk Abrar for two twos and two ones before the final over of the day.
18th over: England 88-1 (Crawley 58, Root 30) Crawley clips off the pads for four, raising a terrific fifty. I love the way he bats, and it’s a lesson for life: take attacking options, back yourself, don’t sweat consequences and don’t punish yourself when you fail. To emphasise the point, he pulls four more when Shah drops fractionally short, and I’m reminded of Ponting’s famous masterclass when he identifies a tiny square on the track that bowlers needed to hit to not be attacked by him.
“South London traffic is gridlocked, the cat is asleep on my lap, and Joe Root is 29 off 43 balls. All is as it ever was,” reckons James Walsh.
In north, of course, every road is flowing freely.
17th over: England 79-1 (Crawley 48, Root 30) Afridi replaces Abrar, who’s endured a chastening session. In comms earlier, they were saying that Wasim and Waqar took Pakistani pitches out of the equation by bowling full and fast, but without reverse-swing – and there’s been none in this match so far – it’s not easy to deceive batters. Root pulls a single, then Crawley glances one, and we’ve eight overs left in the day.
16th over: England 77-1 (Crawley 48, Root 29) Naseem Shah returns and Crawley looks to pull him, which is less exciting than it sounds – the ball cannons his pad and they run one. Another single follows, then two more, and Pakistan now have a taste of how England have been feeling the last two days. Increasingly, you get the sense this match will be a draw unless they collapse in the fourth innings – an entirely plausible outcome.
15th over: England 73-1 (Crawley 46, Root 27) Abrar tries a slower one, so Crawley comes forward and punishes him down the ground for his eighth four. Nor is he finished there. When Abrar pulls back his length, he again retreats deep to drive four more through long-on; that takes him to 46. And just as we’re wondering how he might get himself out, he nearly does, inadvertently chipping when seeking to drive – this time, I think he was deceived by a slower delivery – but the ball drops safe. Nine off the over.v
14th over: England 64-1 (Crawley 37, Root 27) Root drives to point and they run two, then a shot of the sky shows us the sun is setting. For all Root cares, another opened face earning him yet another four to deep third; he’s so, so good at playing that shot, though I associate it most readily with Ronald Bell, another gorgeous strokemaker. He should get that on a business card. Anyhow, two to point follow – biggup the batters for running as hard as they did – and unless the pitch starts misbehaving, it’ll be hard for either side to take 20 wickets.
13th over: England 56-1 (Crawley 37, Root 19) A better over from Abrar, Crawley coming forward and edging into the pad. A single to midwicket follows, then Root plays his shot, opening the face to guide three to deep third.
12th over: England 52-1 (Crawley 36, Root 16) Abrar has had better quarter-hours: Root twizzles off the pads and the spinner misfields as the batters run two. The news on Duckett, meanwhile, is that he probably won’t bat tonight but isn’t going for a scan, so should be ready to go tomorrow.
In other news, I’m no gamer, but I can’t deny my feeling of excitement at this.
Teenager claims first ever Tetris 'rebirth' https://t.co/sKaEimkydC
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 8, 2024
11th over: England 50-1 (Crawley 36, Root 14) On we go, Root edging past slip with soft hands and running three. Then, after defending, Crawley retreats deep in the crease to cart Abrar over midwicket for four; he’s gone for 18 off 10 balls so far. A dot follows, and though the bowler tries a googly next, Crawley picks it and defends confidently. When he’s good, he’s ludicrous.
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10th over: England 43-1 (Crawley 32, Root 11) Now Jamal replaces Naseem and immediately you can see he’s looking to bowl wicket-to-wicket, targeting the stumps and forcing Crawley to force his own angles. He takes a single from the first ball, then plays out four dots as we check in on Duckett, pads off and thumb heavily strapped; that doesn’t look good. A further single follows, and England are going well at drinks.
"An asbolutely BRILLIANT catch!" 🤯
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 8, 2024
Aamer Jamal plucks one out of the sky to dismiss England captain Ollie Pope for 0 😬 pic.twitter.com/2U8UHzjEPO
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9th over: England 41-1 (Crawley 31, Root 10) Yup, Abrar has the ball, and last time he bowled at England here, he took levenfer. So naturally Crawley leathers his loosener, picking out cover, then comes down the track shortly afterwards to spank through the line for four through long off. He’s been out a while but he’s into stride so quickly, the previous ball too full so when a shorter one arrives next, he cuts for four through point! The key with him, though, is building on a start rather than getting one … and he edges three wide of third to make it 11 from the over. If Abrar didn’t know it before he knows it now: he’ll not be allowed to just bowl.
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8th over: England 28-1 (Crawley 20, Root 10) Root tucks off the pads for two, the only runs from Naseem’s fourth over, and my sense is that we’ll see some spin shortly; these two are going nicely now.
7th over: England 28-1 (Crawley 20, Root 8) Both batters look settled now, and I don’t think it’ll be long before they’re tested with spin. Of course, Root isn’t bad at handling that, but I’m Shan Masood, I’m wanting him to face it before his feet are properly twinkling. Of course, as I say that Shaheen pins Crawley on the crease, the resultant play-and-miss amping up bowler and fielders. Ahahaha, for all the good it does them, Crawley creaming the next delivery for four through the off-side. A dot follows, then a zetz through extra, and what a feeling it must be to go to work and be commanded to express yourself with that precise quantity of abandon.
6th over: England 19-1 (Crawley 11, Root 8) Naseem jags one in and when it hits the pad, he appeals with gusto. But no one else seems interested and I think there was bat involved first, and a replay shows the pad was well outside the line. A single follows, then Crawley wears one on the pad trying to twizzle to leg and again there’s an appeal … but that was going down leg.
5th over: England 18-1 (Crawley 11, Root 7) After three Afridi dots, Crawley opens the face, picking out gully, one bounce. Maiden.
4th over: England 18-1 (Crawley 11, Root 7) My internet drops out, returning for me to see that Crawley has added a two and a one.
“As a red-haired Englishman once said ‘Blimey Harry!’ What a catch by Aamer Jamal. Just the thing you need to lift up the team’s spirits.”
Pope did the decent thing, and I guess though Root is better-suited to opening, England need him where he’s comfy because he’s clearly the man for this challenge.
3rd over: England 15-1 (Crawley 8, Root 7) What’s the premier time for an England overseas series? There’s something glorious about waking up to cricket – India – especially having checked it through the night – Antipodes. But having the end of the working day elevated by it is also beautiful – West Indies – likewise the start of it – South Africa. But the breakfast-lunch aspect of Pakistan might just offer the best combination of joys: there from when you re-enter consciousness, with time to ponder events at close. Anyroad, Root easily drills a half-volley for four … then wears one on the pad! There’s a loud appeal but no review, suggesting an inside-edge, but goodness me, that must’ve been close.
2nd over: England 11-1 (Crawley 8, Root 3) Immediately, Root punches a cover-drive for three, and this is precisely the kind of pitch on which you feel it’s impossible for him not to score heavily. You get the feeling he’ll have to – all the more so if Duckett can’t bat. Even with him, Woakes was at seven, and six feels an issue. But back in the middle, Crawley is into his knock, clubbing cross-batted to the point fence for another four.
ABSOLUTE SCREAMER! WICKET! Pope c Jamal b Nassem Shah 0 (England 4-1 )
Shah finds a bit of bounce and Pope pulls powerfully off his hip to midwicket, where Jamal dives high and, with his top hands, holds on to an absolute jazzer! Pakistan are all over it!
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2nd over: England 4-0 (Crawley 4, Pope 0) How will the England skipper fare opening for the first time in first-class cricket?
1st over: England 4-0 (Crawley 4, Pope 0) Full and straight to begin, Crawley defending; then a bit more width, and he misses his swing. Afridi is looking to slant them across the batter, who’s able to let the ball past, then offered a half-volley, he opens the face, jams down, and sends four through backward point. He and England are away.
Shaheen Shah Afridi to open, Crawley to face.
Out come the batters … and it’s Ollie Pope accompanying Zak Crawley.
Otherwise, though, well batted Pakistan. They made sure to cash in, three centurions putting England under immediate pressure. If their quicks can persuade the ball to do something, this imminent mini-sesh might be the key one of the match.
So if Duckett can’t open, who will? It could just be Pope moving up one; Root, an opener for a while, is also an option; or England might think out of the box and give Woakes the chance to prove himself the front-line batter those who never have to accept blame for consequences have always said he is.
WICKET! Abrar Ahmed c Duckett b Root 3 (Pakistan 556 all out)
Root tries a bouncer, Abrar edges … right on to the top of Duckett’s left thumb! He snaffles with his right hand nevertheless, but immediately afterwards clutches himself, and might that be a dislocation? I’m not sure he’ll be good to open, and England are in trouble before they’ve even faced a ball!
149th over: Pakistan 556-9 (Salman 104, Abrar 3) Three dots to Root then Salman sweeps for one and Abrar comes down, he slices dropping safe and earning two.
148th over: Pakistan 553-9 (Salman 103, Abrar 1) Oh Gus! Oh maaaaate! Salman takes one then Abrar goes over the top, it’s dropping over Atkinson’s shoulder – so not simple but it’s coming slowly … and he spills it. We’ve had to wait for the wheels to come off England but they’ve got there in the end as we knew they must. All is well with the world. They run one and a single follows; in the dressing room, most Pakistan players look to be back in whites.
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147th over: Pakistan 550-9 (Salman 101, Abrar 0) Surely Pakistan now get runs or get out. Er, or not. Root sends down three dots then Abrar misses with a swing and Smith somehow fails to stump him. Eeesh, he’ll not want to see that one again: it was a proper fumble, he then dropped the ball for double points, and Abrar wandered back as his ears went visibly, Fergie puce. One off the over.
146th over: Pakistan 549-9 (Salman 100, Abrar 0) Abrar, who’ll surely have a huge role to play with the ball, flings hands, the ball soars and plugs at mid-on; no run.
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WICKET! Shaheen Shah Afridi b Leach 26 (Pakistan 549-9)
No sooner has Salman completed his century than Shaheen unloads the suitcase, heaving a hoik, missing, and hearing the death rattle.
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Salman Ali Agha completes his second Test century!
146th over: Pakistan 549-8 (Salman 100, Shaheen 26) Salman under-edges a sweep for one to go one away, then Shaheen knocks down the ground to return the strike. Here we go! Leach is in, Salman sweeps for one, and there it is! He’s batted beautifully today, 100 off 108 deliveries.
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145th over: Pakistan 546-8 (Salman 98, Shaheen 25) Root returns as Athers laments the lack of reverse, also praising how England have stuck with it – and he’ll be relieved to learn that I agree. They’ve kept their discipline in the field and have stuck at the bowling – not easily done, especially without their captain. Three singles off the over and I daresay Crawley and Duckett are hoping the call comes when Salman makes his hundred, because the waiting will be more annoying than the batting.
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144th over: Pakistan 543-8 (Salman 96, Shaheen 24) Salman has batted beautifully this afternoon and he comes down to Leach, carting six over long -n! He’s into the 90s – aren’t we all, I saw kids in baggy trousers just the other day – then, after a single, Shaheen comes down and levers six of his own, also over long-on. I doubt they’ll be out there much longer.
143rd over: Pakistan 530-8 (Salman 89, Shaheen 18) Salman reverses for two then sweeps for one – he’s racing to his hundred without taking any risks. oh, and Shaheen then gives himself room, backing away to fully extend arms and swipe over mid off for four.
“Where’s Tom Hartley on this tour? Is he injured?” wonders Mike Jakeman. “Baz and Ben rarely discard their wildcard picks, so I’m a bit confused.”
He had a poor season and I guess isn’t deemed good enough to be picked nonetheless.
142nd over: Pakistan 523-8 (Salman 86, Shaheen 14) Leach continues and his first two balls go for a two and a one, both to Salman; they’re the only runs from the over. England’s openers must be struggling to concentrate now, knowing they’ll soon have to do their thing.
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141st over: Pakistan 520-8 (Salman 80, Shaheen 13) Salman will fancy himself a ton here, and there’s no sense the declaration will come before he reaches it. It will surely come soon though, because Pakistan will want a go tonight then another tomorrow while the ball’s still new; maiden.
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140th over: Pakistan 520-8 (Salman 83, Shaheen 14) It’s Leach from the other end and after Salman takes one, Shaheen does likewise to cover, Brook diving to prevent further damage. A two to Salman follows, and England are being ground into gristle here.
139th over: Pakistan 516-8 (Salman 80, Shaheen 13) It’s Bashir beginning and Salman comes down to his second ball, forcing over the top but with the toe; he adds one. It’s the only run from the over, and I wonder what Shaheen, batting at the other end, will be able to extract from this pitch – if anything.
We go again…
We’ll be back in 15 or so…
138th over: Pakistan 515-8 (Salman 79, Shaheen 13) Atkinson barrels in again; he and Carse will be much the better for this tour, bowling more than they ever have before on pitches as unhelpful as any they’ll ever encounter. Or they’ll return home a shell of their former selves, hating cricket; definitely one of the two. Salman takes a single to fine leg then Shaheen does likewise to point, as we see a hirsute Ben Stokes stretching off on the boundary; I guess he’ll be back for the second Test. A further single follows, and that is tea. Pakistan have their foot on England’s throat.
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137th over: Pakistan 512-8 (Salman 77, Shaheen 12) I’m not surprised to see Root replace Bashir – England can’t afford to have him hit out of the attack, not today but also not given how they’ll need him after today. Can the Golden Boy’s golden arm find a wicker? Er, um, well: Shaheen smokes his second ball over wide long on for six, raising a fifty partnership to which he’s contributed eight. Five dots follow and is that tea? Is it not. One more over.
136th over: Pakistan 508-8 (Salman 77, Shaheen 8) Atkinson returns; fans of Anthony Buckeridge might lament that he and Keaton Jennings don’t play together for Derbyshire. Salman thumps the second ball of the over to midwicket for four, and Atkinson is finding that Pakistan in Pakistan is a different challenge to West Indies and Sri Lanka in England. Seeing as we’ve been talking about the Ashes, I do wonder about him in that series much as I enjoy his attitude and batting; after a further single, Shaheen slices him over the top for two more, then takes one to point. Eight off the over.
135th over: Pakistan 500-8 (Salman 72, Shaheen 5) The field is spread but Salman doesnae care, trotting down to smoke four over midwicket. He then raises the 500 getting down on one leg to glance a deft sweep for one, and on we go.
“Greeting from a sunny Den Haag, begins Tom Paternoster-Howe. “There’s no reason why Pakistan should rush things. Everyone knows that England’s approach will be to rush, and everyone knows about their tendency to collapse when faced with even half-decent spin, so there should be plenty of time for Pakistan to take 20 wickets in the match. As you say, they should get overs in the English legs when there’s two Tests still to come and short turnarounds between them.”
REVIEW! NOT OUT!
There’s no bat, but the ball pitched outside leg. Ollie Pope is now 0-13 for reviews.
135th over: Pakistan 495-8 (Salman 67, Shaheen 5) Salman is motoring now, collaring Leach to the fence at fine leg via sweep. He goes again too, misses, and when the ball goes on to the pad, England appeal then review.
134th over: Pakistan 491-8 (Salman 63, Shaheen 5) Salman comes down the track but doesn’t get hold of Bashir, earning two over the top nevertheless. Then, with Bashir looking to hide the ball down leg-side so he can’t hit it, he reverse-muscles four, then goes again and misses. A one-bounce four down the ground follows, then a single, and that’s 11 off the over; if the treatment continues, England will have even bigger problems.
133rd over: Pakistan 480-8 (Salman 52, Shaheen 5) Leach replaces Carse and after Shaheen takes one, Salman has one jump at him. But he fences it away for two, raising his fifty in the process, adds one more, and I guess if Pakistan plan on batting once, they could keep at this for a while yet.
“I wonder if it might be better for us all, to avoid jinxes, never to mention ‘The Ashes’,” suggests Kim Thonger, “but instead do as Shakespeare aficionados do when they refer to Macbeth as either The Scottish Play or The Bard’s Play, and call it The Australian Series instead?”
Nah, that’s Neighbours.
132nd over: Pakistan 475-8 (Salman 48, Shaheen 4) I guess that, much as it feels like Pakistan should get things moving, losing the last series in the way they did – England hadn’t taken 20 wickets playing them away since their last win in 2000 – will have been embarrassing. They’ll not want to experience that again, and Salman plays out five dots from Bashir before sweeping a single.
131st over: Pakistan 474-8 (Salman 47, Shaheen 4) Crydon Barse begins his 22nd over and Shaheen nurdles his loosener for a single – I imagine that, at this point, every delivery is a loosener – and four dots follow, before Salman adds one more eased to third.
130th over: Pakistan 472-8 (Salman 46, Shaheen 3) Bashir wheels in again and Salman takes one to point, then Shaheen sweeps for three. I’m sure the senior man will want to retain the strike with two balls to go and he does, but doesn’t refrain from coming down the ground to clobber four through long off.
“Finally someone else who appreciates my bugbear as an occasional scorer in village cricket,” writes Phil Russell in response to Rob. “A quick duck causes no end of trouble to the scorers. You have to update a second lot of fall-of-wicket, partnership, and batter’s information in quick succession, not to mention having to check with the fielders who took the catch and asking the captain who is going out, then getting told you need to pad up quickly and have to find someone to hand the book over to. I’m sure those who operate manual scoreboards are similarly aggrieved when the collapse is on.”
129th over: Pakistan 464-8 (Salman 41, Shaheen 0) Surely now Pakistan will look to get after it? Afridi goes from the off, missing a massive mow – try saying that at ten-to-two, or after you descend the aforementioned treadmill – then edges for no run.
WICKET!
Just! Hitting the bails, so umpire’s call leaves things as they are. It’s a procession!
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REVIEW!
We’re going to find out!
WICKET! Aamer Jamal lbw b Carse 41 (Pakistan 464-8)
Jamal comes forward, misses as the ball stays low and perhaps eases in … and up goes the finger! But was the impact high?
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129th over: Pakistan 460-7 (Salman 40, Jamal 4) Is it just me thinking that if only Adil Rashid were available for Tests, Pakistan might be 458-9? It’s a crime how few Tests he’s played but…
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128th over: Pakistan 458-7 (Salman 40, Jamal 4) Another Bashir over, two singles from it. Pakistan are in nae hurry here.
“I know we’re not supposed to go too early on Ashes talk but you have so I will too!” excuses Phil Harrison. “As things stand, I’d probably take Woakes. He’s not necessarily going to be first choice or play in all the games but nor is any one seamer. They obviously want at least one, if not more genuine quick for each game - hence the pool of Wood, Carse, Stone and (hopefully) Archer. Atkinson is a lock. Tongue should be strongly considered if he’s fit and Hull has a sniff as a leftie option. And, as part of a balanced diet (and because I’m sure he’s a great fella to have around), I think there’s a spot for Woakes as swing option, donkey work-doer and team balancer. I hope so – he deserves it.”
Generally speaking, medium pace gets whacked on Australia. When England last won there, though they were the miles better side, it was a relatively inclement summer, which probably helped. I don’t totally get Carse, if I’m honest. I think he’s decent enough and perhaps they hope he can become the Brezilad of this side – parsimony, occasional magic-ball wickets and a few runs – but I’d not have picked him here.
127th over: Pakistan 458-7 (Salman 39, Jamal 3) I guess Pakistan want overs into legs given there are two more matches to come, but I’m a little surprised they’re not hurling hands at this point because taking 20 wickets on this won’t be easy. And if that isn’t tempting fate, I don’t know what is. On TMS earlier – my 10-year-old was overjoyed to have that, rather than the customary Afrobeats and amapiano accompanying her school run – that the last time England were in Pakistan and Harry Brook was asked how he could score so many so freely, he answered that he’d never played on such good pitches. Sounds simple, and when you’re as talented and as young as he is, I guess it is. But with SB Pressure leading the Pakistan attack, things might quickly get tricky. Anyroad, Carse ploughs in again, a leg-bye and a wide augmented by one to Slaman and two to Jamal driven to backward point.
126th over: Pakistan 453-7 (Salman 38, Jamal 1) Jamal gets off the mark with one into the on side as the England onslaught continues. then Salman edges two more. I see below we’ve been discussing Woakes, yet again. I’ve never dropped any player as often from the XIs picked in my little head, only to feel stupid thereafter, and I’d be very wary of discarding his experience given the callow nature of his team’s attack.
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*just off the treadmill and absolutely finished. I feel like I’ve been fielding in Multan for the best part of two days. Thanks Rob and morning everyone!
Drinks break
Right, that’s all from me for today. Daniel Harris is bright-tailed, bushy-eyed and ready to cover the rest of the day’s play.
WICKET! Pakistan 450-7 (Saud c Root b Bashir 82)
Saud Shakeel falls to a jaffa from Shoaib Bashir. It curved outside leg stump from around the wicket, then turned sharply to scrape the edge as Saud pushed defensively. Joe Root did the rest at slip.
That wicket might be a blessing in disguise for Pakistan. It’s the first ball that has turned quickly and sharply, and we’re only at the halfway point of day two.
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125th over: Pakistan 450-6 (Saud 82, Salman 36) Salman takes three off Leach, then Saud reverse sweeps a couple to move into the eighties. If he does the necessary this will be his fourth century in only 13 Tests, which would be quite a way to start a Test career.
124th over: Pakistan 444-6 (Saud 79, Salman 34) Saud runs down the track to chip Bashir over extra cover for a couple. He was nowhere near the pitch but got enough on it to beat the fielder running back towards the boundary. A single later in the over brings up a solid, occasionally spectacular fifty partnership from 91 balls.
In stats-based news, since that charming five-for against West Indies at Trent Bridge in July, Bashir has taken eight wickets at 61. Nothing to worry about, but something to keep an eye on as we move closer to The Tour.
123rd over: Pakistan 440-6 (Saud 76, Salman 33) Another quite over from Leach, in which Salman defends a couple of deliveries almost exaggeratedly. A big shot is coming, but not yet.
This game has been full of tempo changes and this is another: eight runs from the last six overs.
“I am puzzled by the frequent use these days of ‘without troubling the scorers’ for a batsmen who faced more than one ball and departed without scoring a run,” says Mark Slater. “What do they do with the spaces for the little strokes? If they had said, ‘without troubling the scoreboard’ I would still pedantically point out that the wicket column needs adjusting, as does the last batsman’s name and score, the bowler’s name and any fielder also involved... Why yes, it is a boring rainy Tuesday morning, how could you tell?”
This kind of pedantry makes me want to punch the air and do laps in celebration of humanity. Anyone know when the phrase was first (mis)used?
122nd over: Pakistan 439-6 (Saud 75, Salman 33) Shoaib Bashir replaces Chris Woakes. In theory this is a better match-up for Salman, although Bashir is bowling a tight line to the right-hander. That makes it harder for Salman to free his arms and pump him over long on, and for now he settles for a single down the ground. Saud pushes another into the covers.
Since Salman hits those back-to-back sixes off Leach, Pakistan have scored seven runs from 5.2 overs.
121st over: Pakistan 437-6 (Saud 74, Salman 32) A quiet over from Leach this time, with just a single to Salman. His partner Saud hasn’t scored in his last 16 deliveries.
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120th over: Pakistan 436-6 (Saud 74, Salman 31) Woakes bowls a second successive maiden to Saud, who doesn’t need to worry about his scoring rate while Salman goes after Jack Leach.
Woakes struggled for much of the first day, conceding 53 from his first 11 overs. Since then his figures are truly Andersonian: 12-5-16-1. That’s exactly what England want from him overseas, especially as he can hang around with the bat and is brilliant in the field.
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119th over: Pakistan 436-6 (Saud 74, Salman 31) England have mid-off back and mid-on up when Leach is bowling to Salman. Neither man is in the game when Leach drops short and is heaved over midwicket for four more. Since lunch, Salman has pumped Leach for 31 from 19 balls.
The consensus in the commentary box is that the third umpire made the correct decision on that Woakes catch. It’s certainly not one to add to the veryveryverylonglist of Pakistan v England controversies.
How close was Chris Woakes to pulling off this INCREDIBLE catch... 🤏 pic.twitter.com/8oNbrpponK
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 8, 2024
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118th over: Pakistan 432-6 (Saud 74, Salman 27) Woakes tightens his line to beat Saud with a fine delivery, then tries a slower yorker that is dug out. A maiden. While Woakes’ bowling average in away Tests has gone up in this game, I think he and England will take plenty of encouragement from the way he has bowled last night and this morning.
It would be wrong to say the jury is out on his Ashes prospects; they haven’t been sent out yet. There will be plenty more evidence to consider in the next few weeks.
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117th over: Pakistan 432-6 (Saud 74, Salman 27) Salman adds some bleach to England’s wound by smashing the next ball miles over mid-on for six more.
As I predicted, it’s been a cautious start after lunch: five overs, 35 runs.
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) October 8, 2024
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Salman is not out!
The third umpire has decided Woakes’s right foot was still grounded behind the boundary when he took the final catch, so it’s six runs instead of a wicket. The split frame made it almost impossible for the third umpire. My instinct is that it was out but there wasn’t irrefutable evidence so that’s a fair decision.
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WICKET! Pakistan 420-7 (Salman c Woakes b Leach 15)
A fantastic catch by Chris Woakes does for Salman Ali Agha! He smashed Leach towards long off, where Woakes took a difficult catch above his head as he backpedalled towards the boundary sponge. He released the ball as his momentum took him over the boundary, then jumped back onto the field to take the catch. That really is brilliant.
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116th over: Pakistan 419-6 (Saud 73, Salman 15) Saud knows Woakes is going to bowl a length outside off stump, so he charges him and lobs two runs over point. He fiddles lazily at the next ball and almost drags it onto the stumps, then steers a couple past the solitary slip/gully. This is a good little contest.
115th over: Pakistan 414-6 (Saud 68, Salman 15) Salman plonks his foot down and sweeps Leach firmly for four, then paddles two more round the corner. On paper this match-up (SLA v RHB) looks good for England; on the pitch, not so much. Yet.
114th over: Pakistan 406-6 (Saud 67, Salman 8) England have enrolled Saud Shakeel in a game of patience. Chris Woakes starts around the wicket, bowling wide of off stump to a 7/2 field, and Saud ignores them all. The only run comes from a no-ball.
“Bradman’s shabby paucity of sixes (0.5% of total runs) had me checking out some other of his other stats," writes Brian Withington. “His average of 99.94 was a staggering 9 standard deviations (SDs) higher than the best of the rest (based on representative samples of 150/166 all time top men’s Test batters).
“For context, 3 SDs would be highly significant - 9 is simply gob-smackingly bonkers to use the accepted technical statistical terminology. The stat that surprised me most was the number of his 80 Test innings versus England at 65 (average score just under 90).”
What makes his average even more extraordinary is that he was a really poor starter. I did something on him for Wisden Cricket Monthly earlier in the year and, though I forget the exact numbers, he was basically more vulnerable than Ollie Pope in the first 10 or 20 balls of an innings.
113th over: Pakistan 405-6 (Saud 67, Salman 8) So much for Pakistan batting warily. Salman Ali Agha drives Leach’s first ball through extra cover for four to get off the mark, then blasts his fourth over mid-off for another boundary. Shots!
Jack Leach will bowl the first over of the afternoon session. Let’s play.
An important point from Mike Atherton on Sky. Pakistan were hammered by Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in August after declaring their first innings on 448 for 6, so we shouldn’t be surprised if they are slightly wary after lunch. If they get to, say, 450 for 7 we’ll probably start to see our old friends bish and bosh.
“Morning Rob,” says Guy Hornsby. “I have to admit I completely forgot there was a Test match on today. I was happily off for a swim and listening to a cricket podcast and got back to realise it was lunch. Starting a Test on a Monday seems to have completely thrown me. But looks like a lot of action, unfolding slowly, as Test cricket beautifully does. I’m off to see Crowded House in Manchester tonight, so while Pakistan are still on top, it’s only day 2. England: Don’t Dream It’s Over.”
Or, if you’re an England seamer, Nails In My Feet.
Anyway, here’s Paul Young. Shame Crowded House didn’t reciprocate by covering Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home).
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Come in No 717
"The greatest cap that any cricketer could ever receive." ❤️🧢
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 8, 2024
Welcome to the club, @CarseBrydon 👏
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/4vOJIHeekX
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Lunch
112th over: Pakistan 397-6 (Saud 67, Salman 0) Saud Shakeel, who has been starved of the strike this morning, pulls Atkinson round the corner for four to move to 67.
That’s the end of an intriguing if slow-paced morning session in which Pakistan scored 69 for 2 in 28 overs. The nightwatchman Naseem Shah annoyed England by hanging around for 81 balls, hitting three sixes in a career-best 33. He eventually fell to Brydon Carse and Jack Leach took the bonus wicket of Mohammad Rizwan for a duck just before lunch.
It feels like Pakistan are on top, though not by much. See you in half an hour for the afternoon session.
111th over: Pakistan 393-6 (Saud 63, Salman 0) Another maiden, this time from Leach to Salman.
110th over: Pakistan 393-6 (Saud 63, Salman 0) Another wicket would make this England’s session, which is faintly absurd given the nightwatchman Naseem Shah batted for most of it. Not this time: Atkinson bowls a maiden to Saud.
109th over: Pakistan 393-6 (Saud 63, Salman 0) Salman Ali Agha, who has two Test hundreds and 16 in first-class cricket, is the new batter.
WICKET! Pakistan 393-6 (Rizwan c Woakes b Leach 0)
No buffet for Mohammad Rizwan, who has fallen for a 12-ball duck. England left mid-off up, dangling the carrot, and Rizwan couldn’t resist. He ran down the track, made room and clothed Leach straight to Chris Woakes in that position. That’s a superb breakthrough for England, especially so close to lunch.
Jack Leach has England's second of the morning as Mohammad Rizwan departs without troubling the scorers! 🦆 pic.twitter.com/oXFY7XS29Z
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 8, 2024
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108th over: Pakistan 392-5 (Saud 62, Rizwan 0) Atkinson replaces Carse, whose spell this morning was a worthy 5-1-12-1. He starts a bit loosely, firing a couple down the leg side to Rizwan, who defends the rest of the over. He wants to be still be around for the post-lunch buffet.
I wonder how Saim Ayub feels after getting out for 4 on this pitch. Grahame Clinton knows his pain.
107th over: Pakistan 392-5 (Saud 62, Rizwan 0) Saud played some good sweeps off Leach yesterday evening, both reverse and orthodox, and he gets another away behind square for four. He has looked so comfortable this morning.
“Greetings from windy and rainy Lübeck,” writes Sairam. “I just googled to discover that Wasim Akram holds the record for the highest percentage of Test runs scored in sixes among cricketers who have scored at least 100 runs. He scored 17.9 pre cent of his Test runs through sixes, totaling 98 across his career. That includes a famous innings of 257 not out against Zimbabwe where he hit 12 sixes.”
At Sheikhupura in 1996 if memory serves. That list is a good find, and it’s no surprise to see Wasim high on the list. I can’t see Naseem reaching 1000 Test runs, though he might keep up this percentage. What makes it even more unusual is that he has the strike rate of a blocker, 31 runs per 100 balls.
106th over: Pakistan 388-5 (Saud 58, Rizwan 0) Mohammad Rizwan, positivity personified, is the new batter so there shouldd be a change of tempo. Carse continues around the wicket and inconveniences Rizwan with a good first delivery that hits him somewhere near the glove.
WICKET! Pakistan 388-5 (Naseem c Brook b Carse 33)
Brydon Carse has his first Test wicket. He celebrates with little more than a weary smile when Naseem fences a good delivery round the corner to leg slip. That’s the end of a handy innings from Naseem Shah: 33 from 81 balls with three sixes.
Brydon Carse has his FIRST Test wicket 👏 pic.twitter.com/Md00UN81wx
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 8, 2024
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105th over: Pakistan 388-4 (Saud 58, Naseem 33) There’s a bit of turn for Leach, though it’s painfully slow. Naseem pings his third six, this time a hold-the-pose drive played inside out over mid-off. What a fantastic shot! Those runs make this Naseem’s highest first-class score.
Oh and he has now hit 30 per cent of his Test runs in sixes. Even Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have only managed 12 and 10 per cent respectively.
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104th over: Pakistan 381-4 (Saud 58, Naseem 26) Carse continues to huff and puff in pursuit of his first Test wicket. He thought he’d taken it 24 hours ago when Shan Masood was given out LBW, only for that decision to be overturned on review.
Naseem, who rode his luck in the first hour, looks pretty comfortable now. Carse switches around the wicket but Naseem has plenty of time to duck under an 87mph bumper. It’s a no-ball, the second of the over, so Carse has to do it all over again. It’s probably fair to say that, when he first starting to think about playing Test cricket, a pitch like this wasn’t in the brochure. In the circumstances he has bowled pretty well and has figures of 18-2-64-0.
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103rd over: Pakistan 377-4 (Saud 57, Naseem 25) Leach replaces Bashir, and Naseem hares down the pitch to smash his fourth ball over mid-on for six. That’s a beautiful shot, one that continues the block/thwack theme of Naseem’s innings and indeed career: 36 of his 130 Test runs have come in sixes.
To put that in some context, 36 of Don Bradman’s 6996 Test runs came in sixes.
102nd over: Pakistan 371-4 (Saud 57, Naseem 19) Saud opens the face to steer Carse for a couple. He has scored at a reasonable pace this morning, making 22 from 38 balls. The main problem is that he has been starved of the strike, with Naseem often getting stuck for the majority of an over. He might as well have a swing now and push things forward.
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101st over: Pakistan 368-4 (Saud 55, Naseem 18) Leach outbowled Bashir yesterday so it’s a surprise we haven’t seen him this morning. I guess the logic is that the specialist batsman is a left-hander, therefore you want the offspinner. But they need to dismiss Naseem as well.
On commentary Rameez is criticising Pakistan for their negative approach this morning. I wonder what his internal monologue was like during his Test debut in 1984, when he made 2 runs from 67 balls.
100th over: Pakistan 366-4 (Saud 54, Naseem 17) The physio is on the field again when Naseem is pinned on the glove by a lifter from Carse. “At what cost is this batting for?” says Rameez Raja on commentary.
He was hit on his bowling hand, though he’s okay to continue. Maybe he’ll start having a swing now; no point taking more punishment, and it feels like he’s done his job by surviving the first hour.
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99th over: Pakistan 363-4 (Saud 53, Naseem 15) Big first hour? No, just a quiet one: 13 overs, 35 runs, no wickets. That’s why you should have had the extra hour in badm, you eejit drinks.
“Naseem’s presence as the nightwatchman is on one hand seeing the new ball off and on the other is disrupting the flow of Saud Shakeel,” says Zain Malik. “This morning session should be more about intent from Pakistan. Going hard, going all in and putting up a mammoth score. Multan is where the Bazball era became pop-culture. 600 here would truly put a draw on the cards and put the impetus on England to demonstrate whether or not they’ll stick to their entertainment industry approach. There’s no glamour in Multan so far. Just toil and labour.”
I’d argue this gives them a greater chance of posting a mammoth score. The ideal scenario is to declare with around an hour to play tonight; if they do that they’ll have scored at least 600, probably nearer 700.
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98th over: Pakistan 362-4 (Saud 52, Naseem 15) Brydon Carse comes on for Atkinson. There’s an unsuccesful appeal for a catch down the leg side when Naseem tries to push the ball off the hip. Jamie Smith celebrates but Pope decides against the review. I wonder whether, with a record of 0 from 11, he’s having DRS nightmares yet.
On this occasion Pope was right not to go upstairs. Replays showed that the ball brushed Naseem’s bahookie rather than his bat.
Pacewatch: Carse’s last ball is an 81mph bouncer. No idea what the moral of this story is.
97th over: Pakistan 360-4 (Saud 51, Naseem 14) Naseem Shah emerges from his bunker to waft Bashir over long on for six. That’s a really good shot, especially as he’s been strokeless for almost an hour.
Saud Shakeel then sweeps his first boundary of the day to reach a composed, confident fifty from 96 balls. Really well played. After taking 21 runs from the first ten overs of the day, Pakistan have scored 11 from the 11th.
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96th over: Pakistan 349-4 (Saud 47, Naseem 7) Naseem is fine to continue and, when Atkinson pitches one up, he slices a big drive over the solitary slip for a single. It bounced well in front of the fly slip. Naseem has seven from 40 balls, and the 40 are probably worth more than the seven.
95.2 overs: Pakistan 348-4 (Saud 47, Naseem 6) Atkinson has moved second slip to fly slip for Naseem, who ducks into a bouncer and is clonked on the back of the helmet. He looks fine but that will mean a break in play and a concussion test.
95th over: Pakistan 348-4 (Saud 47, Naseem 6) Shoaib Bashir replaces Chris Woakes, who bowled a forensic spell of 6-2-9-1 last night and this morning. England’s arms go up when Saud bottom-edges a sweep onto the pad and away for a single.
Naseem steals a leg bye on the off side. Still just the one boundary this morning, and that was a thick edge from Naseem Shah. There have been 20 runs in nine overs and, crucially, no wickets.
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94th over: Pakistan 346-4 (Saud 46, Naseem 6) It might be time to try the extra pace of Brydon Carse against Naseem. For now it’s Atkinson to continue, with two slips and a leg slip waiting for Godot an edge.
Naseem is beaten by consecutive deliveries, the second a full-length beauty. Atkinson’s impressive poker face is being put to the test; Naseem has been beaten at least seven times this morning. But he has done a terrific job for his team by hanging around.
93rd over: Pakistan 346-4 (Saud 46, Naseem 6) Saud Shakeel fiddles Woakes, bowling round the wicket now, along the ground and through the cordon for a couple. This is his 13th Test and he has an average of 59. That includes a poor series in Australia a year ago, which is to say record in Asia is spectacular: 1078 runs at 77. And not all those pitches were as flat as this one.
Woakes, who continues to bowl expertly with the second new ball, almost gets him with a well-directed bouncer that beats the attempted hook.
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92nd over: Pakistan 344-4 (Saud 44, Naseem 6) Naseem softens his hands just enough to ensure an edge off Atkinson falls short of second slip. Atkinson tries a bouncer, the first of the day, but it’s too high and called wide.
England’s frustration grows when Naseem gets a thick edge between slip and gully for four. There’s an appeal for caught behind off the last ball of the over but no review. I think his bat brushed his boot; it certainly didn’t touch the little red thing.
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91st over: Pakistan 339-4 (Saud 44, Naseem 2) Pakistan have started slowly, Naseem (2 from 21 balls) in particular. But, as Phil said in the previous over, that makes sense in the circumstances. Every dot ball puts metres in the legs of England’s seamers, who probably needed to bathe in WD40 this morning.
Naseem’s batting stats are quite interesting. No, really. In his short Test career he has a strike rate of 28 runs per 100 balls, yet 75 per cent of his runs have come in boundaries, including 23 per cent in sixes. That means a whole lot of dot balls.
90th over: Pakistan 337-4 (Saud 43, Naseem 1) Atkinson has a strangled LBW shout against Saud after nipping one back from round the wicket. Nicely bowled but too high.
“We’ve just had a magnificently intense storm here in ‘sunny’ Queensland,” says Phil Withall. “The positive of this is that I no longer have to cut the grass, I believe the aquatic lawnmower is yet to be invented. The negative is that I am now free to focus on the cricket. Pakistan have no need to hurry, which will make England’s opening hour so much more trying. One can but hope...”
Big next 10 minutes! I still think Pakistan will get a minimum of 500; Saud is largely in control and there’s plenty of batting to come. England could easily go past that; so much will depend on how they fare against the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi and especially Naseem Shah. All results are on the table, just the way we like it.
89th over: Pakistan 334-4 (Saud 40, Naseem 1) While Atkinson went round the wicket to the left-hand Saud, Woakes is bowling over the wicket with two slips and two men on the drive – one at short extra, one at short mid-off.
When he takes a single off the first ball, the flirtation of the outside edge resumes. Naseem is beaten by a jaffa and nods respectfully down the pitch. Woakes has bowled really well with the second new ball: 4-2-5-1 are his figures.
88th over: Pakistan 333-4 (Saud 39, Naseem 1) Saud Shakeel times excellent cover drives off each of Gus Atkinson’s first two deliveries. The first is excellently stopped by Zak Crawley; the second beats him and goes for three. A couple of singles complete a low-key over.
“Rob,” says Neil Waterfield. “For the first time, I am one of those annoying people on the OBO asking for an overseas link to TMS. From Multan but not the stadium (which is an entirely different story!).”
Oh, bleary eyed text commentary not good enough for you people any more? (Here you go.)
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87th over: Pakistan 328-4 (Saud 35, Naseem 0) The nightwatchman Naseem is beaten twice in Woakes’ first over, the second by a beauty. “Wasted on a tailender,” says Rameez Raja on commentary.
A maiden to start. England will want rid of Naseem as soon as possible so that the seamers are fresh when they bowl at Mohammad Rizwan. He’s such a perky strokeplayer, definitely not the kind you want to come up against when you can barely feel your legs.
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Chris Woakes will open the bowling to Naseem Shah, with three slips and a gully in place. Big first 10 minutes coming up.
Before we start, a very happy birthday to the youngest Invincible.
Living legend is 96 today. Happy birthday Neil Harvey.
— Clayton J Murzello (@ClaytonMurzello) October 8, 2024
Cover of Spirt & Pastime pic.twitter.com/EcVjjr4VWV
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A couple of snippets from Multan
It’s noticeably cooler today than it has been previously, and there’s some cloud cover that was much thicker an hour ago but hasn’t quite burned off yet. I’m sure it’ll still be roasting hot in a couple of hours, but probably less so than yesterday and every little helps.
Jimmy Anderson is here!
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At the Women’s T20 World Cup, the magnificent Nat Sciver-Brunt made light of an awkward runchase against South Africa to give England their second win in as many games.
The sight of one of the backroom staff doing the post-play interview usually means a very bad day at the office. Yesterday was more nuanced, and the spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel was full of praise for England during a most enjoyable interview.
Andy Bull on a day of hard yakka for England’s seam attack
These days England have a couple of electric fast bowlers of their own. The trouble is that one of them, Mark Wood, is just beginning a recovery from injury, and the other, Jofra Archer, is just finishing it. They have a wicked spinner too, but Adil Rashid, is so over Test cricket that while England were labouring away in Multan, he was (no joke) taking part in an Instagram livestream to promote the firm doing his hair replacement therapy. They had one of those ingenious seamers, too, but Jimmy Anderson was finishing playing in a golf pro-am before flying over to do some coaching because he has been railroaded into retirement.
Read Simon Burnton’s day one report
Shan Masood’s position as captain and in the team has become the subject of debate in recent months, and it had been more than four years and 26 innings since he last scored a Test ton, in which time his average was a miserable 20.69. But it swiftly transpired there were no demons in this pitch, and none in his head either.
Preamble
Hello you. Now, we know a Test series is up and running when one immortal, hackneyed phrase is used for the first time: ‘big first hour’. That’s what awaits Pakistan and England in Multan, with both having the chance to take control of the first Test. Pakistan will be eyeing 600+; England would be very happy to keep them to 450 on a pitch which is likely to secrete runs for the first three days of the match.
Pakistan will resume on 328 for four, with Saud Shakeel on 35 and the nightwatchman Naseem Shah yet to score. The smart money is still on Pakistan going huge, but the first hour could change that.
The second new ball is five overs old, so this is England’s chance, although their seamers are likely to be pretty sore after a six and a half hours of toil yesterday. Then again, that’s a good incentive to take early wickets and ensure they don’t face another day in the dirt.
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